Supply Chain Management Educational Options in North Carolina
The supply chain is the system in which goods move from the supplier to the buyer. The supply chain starts with the idea of a product and moves on to product design, production of goods, shipping and distribution. The supply chain can often be a complicated process and needs to be managed by a skilled professional. The individuals in charge of overseeing the supply chain are known as supply chain managers (SCMs) or logisticians. Duties of a logistician include supervising the life cycle of a product from beginning to end, directing the distribution of products, looking for areas of improvement, suggesting time and cost management strategies and forming relationships with suppliers and clients.
If you are interested in working as a logistician in North Carolina, or elsewhere, you should begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or a related field. A bachelor’s degree is not a federal or statewide requirement to work in this field. However, this is the level of education that most employers prefer because of the skill and education level needed to perform this job.
If you are looking to advance your career as a logistician, you may want to consider earning a master’s degree in business as well. It is also possible to find entry-level employment as a logistician with only a two-year degree, especially if you have appropriate work experience.
Degree Programs to Consider in North Carolina
There are several options for those considering getting supply chain management or related degrees in North Carolina. These degree programs include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees.
Appalachian State University. Appalachian State offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with Supply Chain Management as a major. This four-year program consists of general education classes, business core courses and required courses such as the Principles of Supply Chain Management and Global Supply Chain and Logistics. Students can also spend an additional year at Appalachian and complete a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
North Carolina State University. At North Carolina State, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. All students will take classes in finance, marketing and strategy in addition to core business classes and general education courses. Examples of courses offered include Leadership and Management, Logistics Management and Integrated Marketing Communications.
Davidson Community College (The College of Davidson and Davie Counties)
For those interested in a two-year degree or transferring, Davidson allows students to earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in Supply Chain Management. This program consists of 69 credit-hours. Course curriculum includes economics and finance, federal transportation, supply chain operations and warehousing.
Forsyth Tech Community College. Forsyth Tech also has a two-year degree program. Students can earn an AAS degree in Supply Chain Management with a focus on distribution management. This program consists of 67 credit hours and classes can be taken on campus or online. Some of the courses offered in this degree program include economics and finance, inventory control and supply chain operations.
Logistician Certification Options in North Carolina
The American Production and Inventory Control Society, or APICS, has several certification programs for logisticians who are interested in furthering their education or earning extra credentials. You can obtain APICS certifications through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ACSM). The following certifications are available: Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) and SCOR Professional (SCOR-P) Endorsement.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for North Carolina Logisticians
The national growth rate for logisticians is currently seven percent, according to the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP). In the period between 2016 and 2026, logistician jobs in North Carolina are expected to increase by 9.5 percent, with almost 400 new jobs in this field becoming available during that time.
Furthermore, logisticians in North Carolina make pretty good money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Carolina logisticians made an average $36.02 an hour, or $74,930 yearly in 2017. This is slightly higher than the national average salary for this job, which is $35.86 an hour, or $74,600 annually.
Working in Logistics in North Carolina
Logisticians typically work in manufacturing, for the federal government and in scientific and technical departments of companies. They may work in distribution, international freight, logistics, material management, transportation, trucking operations and warehousing. Logisticians usually work full-time, 40-hour weeks. In 2016, one out of four logisticians worked more than 40 hours, or overtime, in 2016. Logisticians often use software systems to manage logistics, track inventory and keep up with product movement. They must have excellent communication, customer service, critical thinking and organizational skills.
Since logisticians work in almost every industry, you should be able to find work in this job field in nearly every part of the state. But if you are looking for areas in North Carolina that have the highest employment rates for logisticians, then you should look for a job in the cities of Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, New Bern and Raleigh. The top-paying cities in the state for this career are Charlotte, Concord, Durham and Greenville.